My child is gifted
that’s a good thing...right?
What does it mean academically when your child is gifted?
It Depends
Service???????
Varies per district
State law says you only must identify students but you legally do not have to service them. Even if you do, each district determines what the service looks like.
Different Identifications of Gifted
Cognitive ability
Creative-thinking
Visual/Performing Arts
Subject-specific
In the great state of Ohio
Once gifted, always gifted
Gifted Children Bill of Rights
You have a right to...
Del Siegle
Parent/Teacher Relationship
You definitely need to advocate for your child and the relationship with the teacher is an important one.
3 types of relationships
Tips for working with your child’s teacher
Rather than demand things, ask if there is anything you can do to help or offer suggestions of what works at home.
Be reasonable with your expectations. The teacher does have your child’s best interests in mind but he or she also has 25 to 30 other student interests in mind as well.
Talk with the teacher. Only go to administration as a last resort. Be consistent with your communication.
What does it mean emotionally when your child is gifted?
It Depends
Asynchronous development
IQ vs. EQ
Students may be able to think a grade level or two above their age, but they may still act their age or even below.
Overexcitabilities
Imaginational
Sensual
Emotional
Intellectual
Psychomotor
Psychomotor
A heightened excitability of the neuromuscular system which can include a “capacity for being active and energetic”.
At home and at school, these children seem never to be still. They may talk constantly.
Allow time for physical or verbal activity, before, during, and after normal daily and school activities-these individuals love and need to “do.”
Imaginational
Mix truth with fiction, or create their own private worlds with imaginary companions and dramatizations to escape boredom.
They may write stories or draw instead of doing seatwork or participating in class discussions, or they may have difficulty completing tasks when some incredible idea sends them off on an imaginative tangent.
Help people use their imagination to function in the real world and promote learning and productivity. For example, instead of the conventional school organized notebook, have children create their own organizational system.
Intellectual
Have incredibly active minds. They are intensely curious, often avid readers, and usually keen observers. They are able to concentrate, engage in prolonged intellectual effort, and are tenacious in problem solving when they choose.
Can appear critical of and impatient with others who cannot sustain their intellectual pace. Or they may be become so excited about an idea that they interrupt at inappropriate times.
If individuals seem critical or too outspoken to others, help them to see how their intent may be perceived as cruel or disrespectful.
Sensual
A heightened experience of sensual pleasure or displeasure emanating from sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing.
May find clothing tags, classroom noise, or smells from the cafeteria so distracting that schoolwork becomes secondary.
Whenever possible, create an environment which limits offensive stimuli and provides comfort.
Emotional
Heightened, intense feelings, extremes of complex emotions, identification with others’ feelings, and strong affective expression.
Often accused of “overreacting.” Their compassion and concern for others, their focus on relationships, and the intensity of their feelings may interfere with everyday tasks like homework or doing chores.
Accept all feelings, regardless of intensity and not accuse of being “overdramatic”. If we accept their emotional intensity and help them work through any problems that might result, we will facilitate healthy growth.
Reaching their potential
How do we encourage them to use their talents to their fullest potential?
What can do you do as a parent?
Support them
What does that support look like?
Balancing act
Paying equal parts attention to their academic and emotional intelligence.
5 Things to never say to your gifted child
Would you stop asking so many questions.
We are so amazed at how intelligent you are.
Why can’t you just be normal/fit in?
Stop showing off, nobody likes a know-it-all.
And the #1 thing you don’t say to your gifted child...
If you’re so smart why can’t you...?
Avoid being a “but” parent
“I think what you did was great but...”
My child is gifted
that’s a good thing...right?
It’s a great thing
Some excellent books on raising gifted children
Questions?
Thank you!